My name is Michio and I was born and raised in the Philippines and was recruited as an overseas nurse. I’ve been nursing for almost 14 years now and have vast experience in patient care from outpatient to inpatient. My journey was not an easy one, it came with hurdles and challenges and I’m proud to say that I overcome those challenges. And I’m honoured to where I am now.
I started working as nurse in 2011 in the Philippines then in 2015 I embarked on my first overseas job in Saudi Arabia. I enjoyed working in the Middle East as I learned so many things from personal to professional life. It helped me to open my eyes in multi-cultural nursing and understand patient care in different aspects of culture and language.
Then I took the path in coming to the UK in year 2019. I was amazed with NHS system but at the same time I felt scared as due to the new environment and adapting to a completely different culture and language from where I worked prior to coming here. I would say it was very daunting to me when I first stepped into the ward as it was a totally different English from what I know. The slangs, accents and even sayings and phrases. Then their system is so complicated. There were so many policies and protocols I had to understand.
Apart from these workplace things, I also needed to juggle my personal life away from leaving my kids. This was the most difficult part in choosing a long term plan for my family. But through all of these challenges I was able to overcome due to hard work, perseverance and raising my profile by showing them my values, culture and professionalism. Now it’s time for me to give it back, hence I’m proud to say I’m the pastoral support for internationally educated nurses within our organisation which covers recruitment and retention.
My learnings and aspirations throughout my journey here in the UK should be told as this bridges the gap of what most of the Internationally educated nurses need to stay and thrive in this community. This breaks the bias and prejudice about our existence in NHS. My story serves as what Mary Seacole fought for – fairness and equitability of services and opportunities in providing for who needs it most.
I’m very honoured that I am part of this program and have been given a chance to share my story to everyone in all races. I’m a great believer of Mary Seacole’s work that paved a way for greater racial and gender equality in healthcare. As I will always say, we are bigger than the word ‘minority’ as our culture, heritage and values truly shape the world that we have right now and most importantly this what makes us stand out from everyone else so be proud of where we came from.